Archive By Section - Agriculture

I receive many calls during the year about tree health, so I tend to write about trees more than any other subject. Right now, many of the trees in the county are looking a little stressed. There are several different issues that your tree may be trying to handle right now, so to help your tree; finding out what is wrong is the first step to helping it stay healthy.

A U.S. patent was recently awarded for technology created by researchers at Kansas State University that improves the health and welfare of beef cattle and other ruminant animals suffering from lameness and following castration, dehorning and other painful but necessary management procedures.

School is back in session and in Barton County that means it's time for the Annual Kid's Ag Day for area fourth graders. The event takes place this Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the Brining Farm just west of Great Bend. This event has taken place now for over 20 years and works to improve the agricultural literacy of children in Barton County. Everyone from the Chamber of Commerce and area businesses to the Barton County Farm Bureau and area farmers help plan and lend a hand. FFA students from GBHS and Ellinwood bring their animals on their own ...

As you drive around the county, you might notice that many trees are starting to look like we are already in fall though summer is still very much upon us. Leaves of area Elm Trees have turned brown, and some may be falling off, giving them a sickly appearance. In many cases, the reason for this is, Elm Leaf Beetles feasting on their leaves. Elm Leaf Beetles are a yearly concern when the second generation hatches about Mid-July. 2014 is no exception.

Kansas Farm Bureau President Steve Baacus and his wife Patricia, as well as Kansas Farm Bureau Executive Director Terry Holdren and his wife Natalie were special guests at the Barton County Farm Bureau annual dinner meeting held Friday evening, Aug. 15 at the Barton Community College Student Union.

While summer isn't quite over, everyone is turning to a fall schedule. If they haven't already, producers are planning and getting ready for the 2015 winter wheat crop and summer crops producers are starting to think about harvest. And many are already thinking about planting decisions for next spring. But there is one more crop plan underway in Kansas – the next crop of persons preparing for careers in some aspect of the agriculture sector.

A century ago when this state consisted mainly of farm and ranch families, it was a common sight to see neighbors helping neighbors. They swapped farm machinery. They loaned labor back and forth to work harvest thrashing crews. A barn raising presented another opportunity for friends to help build and support the community.

This year, despite a late freeze, looks to be a great year for apples. Everywhere I look, I see branches loaded down with ripening fruit. The heavy loads may cause extra strain on the tree, and as the apples increase in size, the additional weight may be substantial. To help your tree be able to bear this weight, you can use one- inch thick boards to prop up limbs. Cut a "V" on the top edge of the board on which the limb will rest so that it doesn't slip off. Long limbs that are heavily loaded with fruit ...

So what can be realistically be done to deal with pesticide resistance once it happens? When pests develop resistance to pesticides, it is a difficult challenge but in most cases not an impossible one. The key to the effectiveness of these management practices include cost, time, markets and climate. Also remember we are speaking about resistance developing in insects and diseases, not just weeds.

A Kansas State University veterinarian is cautioning residents of Kansas and surrounding states about a highly contagious viral disease that affects horses and livestock - and can sometimes affect humans.